The winter-time flurry of childhood wonder has come and passed all too quickly. But still, it’s Christmas. Christ has come and He’s coming again. And thankfully, Advent reminds me to wait with joyful anticipation even as the seasons change.
Category: Devotions
I have felt pursued. Have you not? Even though I have been a believer for decades, I still wake up in the morning and the worry seeps in, the accusations and the insinuations are still a constant assault. I feel the pursuit of the enemy with a vengeance that feels personal.
Just enough keeps us honest: humble enough to realize our limitations and grateful enough to give thanks.
If faith is a fire, we all go through seasons when the flames sputter and the embers begin to dim. A scripture like this one in Proverbs serves as a starter log in our dying fire.
What if we spent the entire month of November in actual gratitude? If we refused to run full-speed toward Decembers festivities? If we intentionally allowed the infringing cold and darkness to slow our soul a bit and warm our hearts by giving thanks?
Friend, we live in a fallen world with fallen people. Seed will be spilled. Dreams will shatter. We will hurt. But in that hurt we always, always have a choice.
When I think of rooms filled with treasures, I picture a library laden with books. The book of Proverbs is just such a place.
The conviction of God is not an insult, but a gracious invitation to change. It’s the Almighty allowing His people an opportunity to identify their offense and alter their course. God sends conviction along with the grace we’ll require when we recognize our sin. He knows how it hurts to acknowledge our failure.
Miscalculations in our spiritual life may yield disastrous results.
The refining process is not about adding value as much as it is about restoring value.